A/N: I know I said I wont be updating this week, but exams are over! /throws confetti. That is... only until mocks exams and final exams in may /Pouts.

At the request of Sailingseas I have made the chapters longer. How long? 5000 WORDS LONG! /dance happily. I know it's not much by standard, but it's HUGE for my standard. Even my extended essay isnt that long!

I want to thank NarutoYuuhi for adding this story to your favorites. You don't have a PM button so I can't craft an awesome thank you note for you. I'm happy that you enjoyed CU though!

Thank you for all of you who decided to subscribed to my story! Please follow CU until the end! I'll Try very hard to make this a good story for you all! /bows.

Warning: This chapter is un-betaed. Ilta Kimon is having her exams on the 23rd and we don't want her to fail now dont we! So expect a some updates to have a few wonky sentences :p

Enjoy!

Chapter Eight

Aizen's plan was simple. Create the King's key, enter the imperial palace, make himself king, rule over the world. Of course there are other details that he will need to take care, but overall, his plan was a good plan.

Enter Kurosaki Ichigo, the anomaly in his otherwise perfect equation. He's a human, a hollow, and a shinigami. Too have three natures in one body is an impossibility, an enigma. He intentionally created the arrancar for his military purpose, converting large numbers of menos into arrancar and modifying them to his own liking. Of course the possibility crossing more than one nature excites him, but after the Vizard fiasco, Aizen dismissed any notion of a human-shinigami-hollow entity as a pipe dream. He didn't expect that a merge between three natures would be possible, especially in a vessel as weak as the human body.

As interesting as Kurosaki is, he is still an anomaly. And in an equation anomalies are to be eliminated. At least, that's what a logical man would do. Aizen is a logical man, or he thought he was. He prided himself as a meticulous planner, but for some reason he decided to go against his plan and spare the boy. At first it was only because of his scientific curiosity that he would even think of keeping the boy. He would be such an interesting experiment. He could study the boy and utilize the findings for his own benefit. However as time progress Aizen began to fight his own common sense just to justify the boy's presence.

Now he's sitting across the said anomaly, watching him as he animatedly ranted about something. As much as he enjoyed the boy's company, his continued presence is nothing more than a liability. He should just kill the boy. Yes, that sound like something that he would do. He caressed the hilt of his sword lovingly, feeling the sword hummed as it resonates with his blood lust. Kyoka Suigetsu hasn't tasted blood in a while. It must be thirsty. He trailed his eyes over the boy's smooth abdomen, imagining how it would feel when he buried his sword in Ichigo's young pliant flesh. He would be an adequate sacrifice to quench his sword's thirst.

'But he's so wonderful to watch.' The child inside of him whined, trying to justify the boy's existence again. It is true that the boy is more than pleasing to the eyes. He has a strong young body, a handsome face, and a smirk that could bloom into the most beautiful smiles. He had yet to see his other expressions. It'll be a shame to kill the boy before he could see his cry in pain and pleasure.

"... and no children! No fucking children! If you make me point my sword at a child then I'll make you regret you've ever ordered me to do that." Ichigo slammed his hand onto the marble desk, snapping Aizen out of his musing.

"Yes, that's fine." Aizen waved his hand absent mindedly, training his eyes on the artificial cloud of Las Noches. "You know Ichigo-kun, I've already given you too much leeway. I've agreed to spare Karakura town, I've allowed the two fukutaichou to live, I've let you roam around my palace freely."

Ichigo did not like where this is going. "Yeah so?" He breathed out, crossing his arms defiantly.

Aizen leaned across the table, leveling his eyes with Ichigo's."I hope you realized the great length I've gone to make you happy." He gave the boy one of his magnanimous smile, one that sends cold shivers down the boy's spine.

Ichigo looked away, lowering his hands to his lap. "I know.." he replied demurely, suddenly feeling uncomfortable under the man's gaze. "I'll make it worth your while." Ichigo promised with a quiet voice. He know that he owed the man for sparing his friends and family in Karakura, not to mention the two vice captains they recently captured. He will have to repay him back, weather he liked it or not.

"I'm glad you said that Ichigo-kun." Aizen stood and smoothed his robe out, frowning slightly when a wrinkle refused to disappear. Ichigo rolled his eyes at the man's OCD-ness . Everyday he found new little quirks about the man, some, like this one, that are just plain silly. He hates to say it, but Aizen wasn't all that different from the average Joe. If, you know, take the evil plan to rule the world out of the picture.

"Hey Sousuke," he called out, trying to distract the man from his less than perfect clothes.

"Yes?" Aizen replied, his eyes still on his robe.

"Why did we go to Rokungai? Did you know that Kira and Hisagi would be there?" Ichigo couldn't keep the suspicion off from his tone. He couldn't help himself. Aizen doest seem to be the type of man who would allow threats to live, nor was he the type to do charity work.

"Don't you get it Ichigo-kun?" Aizen looked up, his tone was kind and soft but his eyes was full of irritation. "I was trying to show you how a King should treats his people." He replied before averting his attention back to the wrinkle. On his robe.

"You're not the King." Ichigo couldn't help but taunt the man. Aizen merely smiled and replied with his warmest voice.

"Yes, but someone still needs to take care of his people."

Tousen listened at the deep controlled breath of his vice captain. Calm, self assured, controlled. They're everything that is synonymous to Hisagi. Tousen let himself be carried back to his office in the ninth division, remembering the many days he would work with his vice captain in companionable silence.

Hisagi was sitting crossed legged on the tatami mat, leaning his back against the wall with his arms crossed across his chest. He looked very much like a sullen teenager. His usually kind face was now decorated with an unfamiliar scowl. With the tattoo and the attitude, Shuhei was no difference than the stereotypical run off the mill punk. Tousen may be blind, but preferred his vice captain smiling. His subordinates should never be unhappy.

"Hisagi." Tousen said sharply. Hisagi ignored the man and stared at the vase beside him.

"Have you lost your manner since my leave." He frowned, confused with the sudden change in the behavior.

"Many things has changed since you left.. Taichou." Hisagi spat out the title vehemently, his eyes ablaze with anger. The man did not deserve that title anymore.

Tousen was not surprised at the anger his captain showed him. He did not expect his former vice captain to come running to him and pledge his allegiance. Kira and Gin may have that relationship, but not Hisagi. Hisagi Shuhei is a man's man, someone who can stand on his own two feet even when his mentor betrayed him. Tousen taught the man about right and wrong, about the balance of power and restraint, and it has become his foundation for live and battle. To be betrayed by someone who taught him how to think must've destroyed his trust. As much as he hated how antagonistic the boy is right now, he is glad that Shuhei is following his own sense of justice.

Although they're in opposite sides, it doesn't mean that Tousen hated the boy. In fact he couldn't be more proud to know that hesitant Shuhei is taking his own stand. It's just the attitude that the blind man hates. With it, Hisagi felt no different than the uncultured boars of Zaraki's division.

"Stop scowling Hisagi." Tousen sighed for the umpteenth time.

"I'm not scowling." He lied.

"I might be blind but I can feel you glaring daggers at me."

"Good, I hope it hurts." Shuhei smirked.

"They're metaphorical daggers Shuhei." Tousen couldn't hid his smile.

"I know." Shuhei rolled his eyes. "After editing two edition of the magazine by myself, I think i can easily detect literary devices."

"Ahh yes, the magazine." Tousen smiled in nostalgia. "I'm sure you're doing a splendid job for Sereitei Communications. "

'Yeah but it's not the same.' Shuhei said to himself. He would never said it out loud, but he missed the man. When Tousen betrayed Sereitei, the ninth division lost more than just a captain. They have lost a father, a mentor, and a role model. Tousen was the type of captain who spends his free time nurturing his subordinates with gentleness and patience.

A lot of captain thinks that orders are enough to 'nurture' their shinigami, but not Tousen. He would eat at the mess hall to entertain his subordinate's questions. He run and practiced his morning kata with them. He took turns in the latrine duties and sleep with them in the barracks. He does all of these as a way to know each and everyone of his members. He could recognize his members by their voice, how they breathe, how they bow. Everyone respects him more than just as a captain, they respect him as their captain. No greater loyalty can be found in any other division.

Shuhei is a capable enough vice-captain. He always submitted his articles on time, he stayed up late to finish the division paperwork, and he made sure that his men are doing their work. Despite all these, he cannot be what Tousen was to the ninth division. The absence of a captain has stretched the vice-captain to his limit. Some days he would sleep on his desk and be woken up by a concern third seat. Everyone in the division knows that Hisagi-fukutaichou works himself to death and wouldn't dare approach him like they would approach Tousen. Hisagi blames himself for the lack of connection within his division. He tries his best to be a leader but he knows that he cannot replace Tousen. He is simply not enough to be a captain.

Tousen could feel the melancholic thoughts began to blanket over the boy. No matter how angry Shuhei is with him, it doesn't change the fact that Tousen knows him intimately. It is the bond between a taichuo and his fukutaichou, one that evena a betrayal cannot undone. The blind shinigami reached out. "I'm proud of you Shuhei." He said, touching his fukutaichou's knee in comfort.

Shuhei stared at the man's closed eyes, grateful that Tousen couldn't see his pathetic state. "You always knew what to say to make us feel better, Taichou." He smiled bitterly, leaning away from the man's touch. "It doesn't change the fact that you betrayed us."

"I know that you're angry Shuhei but," Tousen smiled sadly, disappointment shown clearly on his face. "I thought you of all people would understand."

Shuhei stared at his former captain, unsure of what to say to him. Torn between guilt and anger, he stood up and left.

"Nee Izuru, did ya get thinner?"

Kira Izuru chewed his food in silence. Gin knew how much Kira wanted to fill out his lanky frame, and he used that as a conversation starter. Typical Gin, always trying to get him all mad and flustered. He will not let the man agitate him. He's now more mature than he was nine months ago.

"Ahh, I see. Ya still giving me the silent treatment. How mean."

The blond kept his eyes on his food, meticulously putting pieces of rice and fish into his mouth. Gin watched as Izuru bite on a tofu with a little more force than he needed. 'Too easy.' Gin smiled in delight.

"Mou," he frowned and leaned close to the blond. "Stop ignoring me 'zuru-chan." He poked the man with his chopsticks. "We havent talked in such a long time."

'Calm, peace, serenity. Calm, peace, serenity.' Izuru chanted the mantra over and over, trying to loosen his grip on his chopsticks.

".ru."

"Nee, Izuru."

"'zuru-chaaaannn."

"You want to talk? Fine! Let's talk." Izuru slammed his chopsticks down on the table, splasling miso soup over the table. "Lets fucking talk!" Kira shouted.

Gin raised his eyebrow, amused at his vice captain's choice of words. "Such a filthy mouth." He teased, rubbing his thumb over the soft lips. "Rice." He said, laughing when his vice captain slapped his hands away.

"Stop it. You cant just leave and act like nothing happened."

"Wha'? So we can't have a nice dinner?" Gin pouted as he nibbled an a piece of string bean. "You're never been this rebellious 'zuru-chan. Is there something that's bothering you?"

Kira stayed silent, torn between the desire to kill the man and to confide in him. "Come on, ya' can tell your Taichou anything." Gin nudged the blond with his chopstick again, irritating the man even more. "Taichou!" Kira grabbed the man's arm and pulled him close. Gin smirked like a fox."Yes?"

"Why... why didnt you take me?" He asked, his voice weak and broken. "I would've followed you anywhere and you knew it." He said accusingly. "Why didnt you take me?" his hand shook no matter how hard he willed them to stop. His voice cracked with emotion. His eyes stung but Kira refused to blink for fear of tears. He looked pathetic enough as he is, he don't need the man to see him cry.

Gin frowned at his vice captain, not expecting the little outburst from the man. He had always given Izuru a hard time, but he never pushed him to the brink of tears like this. Kira has always been loyal, not only to his captain but also to his friends. Rangiku, Hinamori, Hisagi, Renji. Kira loved and cherished them all. Gin could still remember the pained look on the blond's face as he ordered Kira to stop Rangiku during the time. By leaving him behind Gin relived him of the burden of choosing over his friends and his captain.

"Izuru..."

"I hate you." He said. "I hate you I hate you I hate you!"

Gin stared at the shaking bundle of mess that is his vice captain. Same old Izuru, always shaking like a leaf. The boy needed guidance. He sighed and stood up, petting Izuru's blond hair before walking away. "You have never been a good liar Izuru."

Hisagi slammed his sake cup down. "Who needs captains!"

"We don't need 'em." Kira hiccupped.

"They leave you behind and disappear." Hisagi burped and fall on his back, thumping his chest in anger.

"Then they come back expect things to be okay!" The blond gave a soulful moan and finished his sake in a gulp.

"Whoa," Ichigo scooted away from the two shinigami. "Bad meeting with your captains?" he asked sympathetically.

"He's not my captain!" Kira shouted and sobbed into his arm. "I know Kira, I know." Hisagi cooed and poured him another cup of sake. "Drink up, carrot top." He shoved a cup to Ichigo, who frowned at the nickname.

"No, that's okay. I'm good." He gingerly pushed the cup away, fighting the urge to taste the alcohol. As appealing as drinking sound, the display shown by the two captain did not impress him. Ichigo rather prefer if he's in control of his actions. Who knew what he would spill out in his drunken haze. "Hey Hisagi-san, you're from Rokungai right?" He quickly asked before the man can offer him more booze.

"Yep. Yep Yep Yep."

"Has it always been... uh, poor?"

The two men look up from their cups, a weird look on their faces. "Ehhh. What a gloomy topic." Kira drawled and abandoned his cup, opted to chug the sake straight from the bottle. "It's not like it's more depressing than watching you two drink." Ichigo shot back, making the two vice captain giggled furiously.

"Yeah," Hisagi replied, turning somber all of a sudden. "Ever since I was a kid everyone was always poor. And hungry. Damn, I couldn't remember a time where I wasn't starving."

"Why?"

"What do you mean why? That's how it goes. The ryoka has always been the poor ones." Kara piped up, ignoring the dirty look that Hisagi gave him.

"Yeah, but isn't it right? I mean, why doesn't Sereitei take care of them?"

"Well, it's not the Gotei's job-"

"Then whose job is it?"

The man was silenced. Hisagi leaned back and gazed at the orange haired boy, his frown deppening. He was from Rokungai and he understood exactly what the boy is talking about. Diffrent from what the public perceived, even a child with minimal reiatsu still feel hunger. The only way to fill their hungry stomach was to steal or to join the Gotei 13. Even after entering Sereitei not everyone is guaranteed to survive.

He often look at those born into nobility with envy. They always had enough to eat, they don't have to work to get their meals, and they will always be guaranteed a seat in one of the squad. He looked at Kira with envy. Even as a minor noble family Kira life is worlds apart from his.

"How about the king? Does he do anything?" Hisagi shrugged at the question, already tired with the topic. "He sound like a lazy fat bastard to me." Ichigo said icily, making Hisagi choke on his sake.

"Careful Ichigo, you shouldn't talk about the king that way."

"I don't give a fuck about a king that won't take care of his people!"

"Kurosaki-kun! That's blasphemy!"Kira shot up, his face filled with fear. "No one is to talk about his majesty like that. The King is infinitely good and infinitely just!"

"If he's so good then why did he let the children in Rokungai starve?" Ichigo furrowed his brows tighter, his face twisted in indignation and anger. When he saw the dumfounded look of the two shinigami, he turned away and stormed out of the room, leaving before he could explode.

"Let him be Kira." Hisagi called out, throwing an arm around his neck . "It's just some idealistic babble from a bored kid. He'll be fired up about a new crisis tomorrow."

"Ah, ok." Kira said weakly and took the offered cup, eager to drink his sorrow away.

Stark Coyote walked through the halls of Hueco Mundo with a towel slung over his shoulders. It was a rare sight to see the Primera Espada out and about. Usually, he never went out of his room, preferring to sleep in his room. He walked past three numeros and watched them sadly as they cowered underneath his reiatsu. "Really?" he asked into the silent hall. Even after he split into two entities his reiatsu was still too much for an arrancar to bear. He sighed and continued walking.

From a distance he could see an orange haired figure leaning out of the castle's window, his shoulder was slumped against the railings like a rag doll. The warm brown eyes was glaring intensly at the immense wall. Stark stopped to stare at the orange hair for a moment, admiring the sheer brightness of it. The orange was the only colour splashed across the monochrome halls of Las Noches. Relishing on the warm colour, he then continued his walk. He haven't seen this arrancar before. 'Must be a Apporo's new fraccion.' He thought to himself. The pink haired scientist has always been modifying arrancars for his own pleasure. The reason why Aizen would let him use up his menos was beyond him.

When he reached the end of the hall, Stark stopped and turned around. The boy didn't flinch. Curious, the man thought. He decided to investigate further. He stepped closer to the boy and waited. Still nothing. He took another step. Nothing. He cocked his head in confusion. Curious, very curious.

He stepped closer to the boy until he was less than a feet away from him. The boy didn't flinch at his reiatsu, but he can't sense his presence even this close? How odd. "Hey." He called out, starling the boy within an inch of his life.

"Holy mother of- What did you do that for!" Ichigo screamed at the man, his 'haori' sliding off from his shoulders. Stark stared intently at the flushed peachy skin of his neck, frowning deeper. "You don't have a mask." He grabbed Ichigo's cheek and turned it from side to side. "And you don't have a hollow hole." He stated, grabbing his 'haori' and throwing it open to inspect his torso.

"What- Get OFF pervert!" Ichigo punched the man on his cheek and jumped backwards, eager to put some distance between himself and the espada. "Of course I don't have hollow hole you freak! I'm human!"

Stark face light up in understanding and grimaced in pain. The boy had a good punch "Ok, that makes sense." He nodded and walked away. After a few meters the brunette stopped and turned around. "Aren't you supposed to be a girl?"

"BERRY-PET. WHERE. ARE. YOUUUU?"

"Fuck." Ichigo cursed and ran towards the stairs, only to found it blocked by a grinning Tesla.

"Don't run human, Nnoitra-sama has been itching to fight you." The blond laughed like an evil villain. Ichigo only gave him a weird look before bolting to the other way. "I CAUGHT YOU BERRY!" Nnoitra said, jumping out of the corner of the hall. With a lod voice, the espada swung his sword down at the boy.

Ichigo narrowly avoided the slash of his double shycte and slid from beneath Nnoitra's freakishly long body. He turned only to come face to face with Nnoitra loyal servant. Grimacing at the sight of the blond, Ichigo punched him aside, ignoring any trace of guilt and remorse. The man was such a weirdo, he thought. He shivered at the mad laugh, one that remind him too much of Kurostuchi Mayuri.

Stark watched the whole scene unfold before his eyes, taking his time to admire the way the boy's body stretch and bend to avoid Nnoitra's attack. The orange haired boy noticed him loitering around and caught his gaze with his own warm brown eyes. "Help!" he yelped as Nnoitra managed to slice the hem of his haori.

Without a second thought Stark stepped forward and grabbed the boy's collar and jumped out of the solitary window. Ichigo clung onto him like a cat, screaming at the sudden change in elevation. They landed with their knees buried underneath the sand. "Dumbass! We're stuck now!" Ichigo growled and pulled at his leg. With ease, Stark grabbed the boy's hand, pulled him out of the sand, and ran.

Ichigo cursed as he hear Nnoitra screamed 'BERRY' as he followed them out the window, but the vice grip on his arm brought his attention to the brunette espada. "So," Stark asked, breathless. "You're not a girl?"

Ichigo scowled at the man and grabbed his chest. "DO THESE LOOK LIKE BOOBS TO YOU?"

Stark stared at the flat chest from behind his shoulder, remembering a certain light haired espada who likes to kick him around. "Yes."

They ran as if the wind was carrying them, distancing themselves from the wall of Las Noches until it looked like the outline of the horizon. Their lungs burned, their legs ached, but they continued running even after Nnoitra's voice was swallowed by the night.

"...bastard," Ichigo wheezed from behind the man. "Let...go!"

"Can't," Stark wheezed back. "Almost... "the Primera Espada tugged on his arm, eliciting another curse from the man.

Ichigo wanted to call the espada every dirty name that he could think off, but the air in Hueco Mundo was so cold that it even hurt to breathe. He settled for a growl for now.

"..Stark."

"What?"

"Name.. Stark." The espada pointed at himself, wiping the sweat from his forehead. When Ichigo only replied with a blank stare, the Espada smiled brilliantly, thinking he could charm the boy into talking.

Ichigo stared at the man like he's crazy and punched him on the shoulder. "Fuck you." He said. Stark yelped and fell, losing his grip on the boy. "That doesn't sound cool at all." Ichigo said and collapsed to the sand, leaning on his forearms. Stark held his throbbing shoulders and stared at the gasping boy. The berry punched him like Lynette, he thought. He stood over the boy and punched him back on the shoulders.

"OW!" Ichigo kicked the man's thigh, bringing him down on his butt. Finally on the same eye level Stark stared at the boy intently. They stared hard at each other until Stark cracked out a happy smile, catching the boy off guard. Before he can stop himself, Ichigo laughed.

"This is so damn relaxing." Ichigo sighed and buried his toes deeper into the water. The espada insisted that they walked a little further until they reached a gorgeous rock pool. It was about a foot deep, with clear water that steamed up with heat. On the middle of the pool was a large rock with a hollow center, creating an oddly relaxing whistle as the wind blew through it. It took some convincing to make Ichigo join him, but Stark was happy that he made the boy do it. The relaxed expression suited him better than that scowl. "So good." He moaned, his eyes fluttering close in pleasure.

"Isn't it? It gets even better." The Primera espada fumbled with a few rock on the bottom of the pool, taking one and throwing it at the large rock structure. With a puff of hot air of air, the small pool began to rumble and bubble up.

"Whoo!" Ichigo exclaimed. "Fucking awesome!" he giggled in delight.. He couldn't help it, bubbles make him laugh. Stark joined in, not quite sure of what he he's laughing at. He's just happy that they're laughing together, like a pair of wolves howling at the moon.

"I'm Kurosaki Ichigo, high school student." Stark took the offered hand and shook it slowly, afraid to break the boy's hand.

The boy frowned at the weak handshake. "That's not how you shake hand." Ichigo grabbed the man's hand and shook it vigorously to show him how it's done.

Stark nodded thoughtfully and tried again, taking Ichigo's hand and shook it with more enthusiasm. "My name is Stark Coyote, Primera Espada." He smiled, happy that the boy's hand was still in one piece.

"Primera Espada? What's that? Is that some kind Nacho?" Ichigo scoffed and laughed at his own joke.

"No," Stark laughed and took off his glove to show Ichigo his tattoo. Ichigo eyes widened. "I cant believe I just call you a Nacho." He laughed at the absurdity of it. Stark smiled wider an chuckled. He liked this Kurosaki Ichigo.

"So number one huh? That means you're stronger than Nnoitra and Ulquiorra combined."

"Not really. Grimmjow is pretty strong and when Nnoitra fight, he scares me."

"Yeah, he's a scary bastard alright." Ichigo shivered when he remembered the bloodthirsty look that the black haired espada gave him."Then... do you have a special job, say like, help Aizen plan world domination?"

"Well I do that, but all the espada have to do it too." Stark yawned and rubbed his eyes. "I prefer to sleep in my room."

"Huh. Okay." Ichigo stared at the man, trying his hardest to figure him out. "Do you have a special lair?"

"Everyone has a special lair. Even Ulquiorra has one, even though he doesn't sleep."

"Huh, so there no perks on being the strongest espada?"

"Well, Aizen lets me borrow his pillows if Lynette is washing mine."

Ichigo laughed. "That doesn't count!" Stark grinned, happy to have made the boy laughing again.

When their laughter died down, they stayed there in companionable silence, listening to the whistle of the wind and the rumble of the water. Even here in Hueco Mundo he is better off than the people in Rokungai. He felt a twang of guilt nudging on the back of his mind.

"What's wrong?"

"Ah, nothing. I just got into an argument with a few of my friends."

"About what?" Stark pushed, drawing circles on the water.

"Well," Ichigo explained him about Soul Society, how inside the Court of Pure Souls there are nobles while outside of the walls are starving children. He talked about Aizen's little food drive that opened his eyes to poverty, and how nobody except Aizen is doing anything about it. Stark listened intently, nodding every few words and asking questions. Ichigo then told him of the argument that he had with Kira and Hisagi about the king, whom Kira revered very deeply.

"I don't know, was I too harsh on them? I mean, It could be that the ryoka was poor because they're lazy or something." He sighed tiredly.

"Not necessarily." Stark interject. "You have some ryoka born into poverty and because he's poor he'll barely have nothing to eat. Because he's got nothing to eat, he cannot work well. Because he cannot work well, he'll earns low wages. Because of the low wage he cannot eat proper food. Without proper food, he's malnourished. Because he's malnourished they cannot work well. Because he's cannot work well they earn low wages. You still want me to continue?"

"Okay, okay. So maybe they're not lazy." Ichigo said, surprised at the man's sharp mind. " But it only adds to the question why aren't anyone doing anything about." He threw his hand up in frustration."I mean, I know Aizen is." He admitted begrudgingly. "But isn't the King's responsible for all these stuff?"

"Poverty is not an easy thing to solve." Stark said, "It's a vicious cycle, and it happens in the real world as well as in soul society." He leaned back on his elbows and breathed in deeply. "It's so much better here in Hueco Mundo. No rule, no government, no poverty. Everything is simpler."

"Ha! It's anarchy!"

"Oh, but we do have one rule." Stark smiled and wiggled his fingers

"What is that? Kill and be killed?" Ichigo snorted at the man's nod. "That's hardly the way to live."

"It's the way nature intended it to be."

"Yeah but," Ichigo yawned, stretching his arms out to the sky."If you're weak, you're dead. If you're strong, you'll have to kill the weak or they'll kill you." He yawned again and soaked further into the pool. "What a lonely life it must be."

Stark stared at the boy, staggered at the truth contained in the simple logic. "Yes, lonely." He whispered. They fell into silence, the kind that two people shared where they're completely at ease with each other. Stark traced the sand on the button of the rock pool with his toes. "Lynnette don't like coming here, she thinks dipping feet into water is lazy." He half whined. Ichigo laughed at the voice.

"Nothing wrong with being lazy." Ichigo closed his eyes and crossed his hand behind his head.

Stark smiled and bumped his feet to the other's slightly. "Yeah, that's what I said."

A/N: Hahahaha I love writing Stark! He's so absent minded and 'whatever'! Like a puppy!

And Forgive me if there's too much fluff for you in this chapter... I didn't intend it to have this much fluff. It's just.. happened :p

Oh why am I apologizing? You LIKE the fluff. Admit it , you do ;)

Comments, critics, and Miller Lites goes to the review pile. Please don't be shy!

Next Chapter: Kenpachi arrives :D /YAY KENPACHIIIIII